Our Current Crush: Cruise Planners

PHOTO: Cruise Planners CEO Michelle Fee. (courtesy Cruise Planners)

For the last nine months, I have been traveling throughout the Southeast United States to introduce myself as the new Contiki sales rep and to get to know as many of the travel agents as I can, and understand how Contiki can be there for them best. I was lucky enough to connect with some great people at Cruise Planners pretty early on in my adventure, and am excited that Contiki has recently become a preferred supplier with Cruise Planners, whose headquarters is in Coral Springs, Florida.

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, with a franchise network of over 1,000 owners. Below Cruise Planners CEO, Michelle Fee, talks about working with Contiki and marketing to millennials.

Why does Cruise Planners enjoy working with Contiki as a preferred supplier?

Cruise Planners loves working with Contiki since we know our travelers are in good hands and are with professionals who are truly experts at what they do. Traveling abroad can be very scary for parents of millennials, but by booking with Contiki it gives parents a peace of mind that everything will be taken care of and give the Millennials an experience to remember for a lifetime. For example, Contiki takes care of everything while making sure young adults see the major sites, are able to have a culturally immersive tour and even have a local experience. We trust Contiki and have 100 percent faith that they will take good care of all our clients.

What motivates Cruise Planners to want to capture more of the youth market?

We know the future is evolving and just like in generations past, Cruise Planners travel agents keep up. Our travel agents have a long legacy of servicing clients and creating dream vacations, including those with Contiki. It’s important to know how to market to Millennials, and we are constantly innovating and creating new marketing and technology tools as consumers demands shift. For example, Cruise Planners travel agents all have a smart phone app where travelers can use their mobile devices to purchase vacations, research travel plans and interact with their valued travel advisor. Also, at Cruise Planners we know that once a young traveler sees the benefits of working with a travel agent, they will be hooked, so it’s a smart long-term business decision.

What is your best sales tips for working with Millennials?

By 2020, it is predicted that Millennials will start to outpace the Baby Boomers in the marketplace as both business people and consumer spending. They buy differently and like to communicate via social media, text messages and need fast turnaround times.

What is your favorite travel story from your own past travels?

I went on an African safari in 2009 that was amazing and life changing since I saw amazing animals up close and personal and had a culturally immersive experience. Also, my family was with me, which is my favorite way to travel.

Do you have a favorite story from a customer’s travels … a trip that you planned that was truly life changing for your customer?

Since I started my career as a travel agent nearly 30 years ago, I planned many life-changing trips. One that stands out was when a client was planning on getting married by a justice of the peace, then wanted a honeymoon to Alaska. I suggested she get married in Alaska on a Glacier – it will definitely be a great story to tell her grandchildren. I believe that traveling can be the best way to connect with a loved one, escape the day-to-day and unwind, and immerse yourself into a new culture and expand your worldly view.

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Kelly Predmesky is a Regional Sales Executive at Contiki Vacations, covering the Southeast United States. She has nine years of experience in the student travel industry and sold Contiki to her own customers before being lured over to Contiki by their #NOREGRETS philosophy. She is based out of Sarasota, FL, so when she’s not on the road giving you the lowdown on Contiki, you can find her at her favorite beach in the world, Siesta Key. The next Contiki trip she wants to take is, hands down, Greek Sailing.

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